Basics: Get A Handle On Your Short Game

April 12, 2017

By Josh Zander Photos by J.D. Cuban

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If you struggle to recall the adjustments you need to make for various shots around the greens, let me simplify the process. If you can just get the handle of the club in the correct spot at impact in relation to the ball, you'll hit good short-game shots. It's literally that easy. Where should the handle be? It depends on the lie. Here I'll show you how to pre-set the grip position at address for four greenside scenarios. Your job is to copy these positions at impact. Continue reading and find out what you need to know to knock it close. —With Ron Kaspriske

Photo By: J.D. Cuban

FAIRWAY LIE
When hitting a pitch shot from here, your goal is to slide the club along the ground through the impact zone, so you want the bottom of the swing to occur slightly behind the ball. Set the handle so it's upright but slightly behind the ball, and get it back to this position at impact.

Photo By: J.D. Cuban

BURIED LIE
When the ball is sitting down in the rough, you need a steeper swing than you do for a fairway lie to get the club under the ball. To do that, set the handle forward, and return it to this position at impact.

Photo By: JD Cuban

BUNKER LIE
Similar to when the ball is in the rough, the handle should be set in a forward position. That should remind you to swing the clubhead down into the sand right behind the ball and continue under it. The more buried the ball is in the bunker, the more the handle should be leaning forward.

Photo By: JD Cuban

PERCHED LIE
Sometimes the ball doesn't settle down in the rough, or it's on a cut of grass with a little cushion. In those cases, you can pre-set the handle slightly back to catch the ball on the upswing, just like if it were on a tee. If you re-create this position, you'll hit it high and soft.

Photo By: JD Cuban

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Photo By: J.D. Cuban

Photo By: JD Cuban

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Basics: Get A Handle On Your Short Game

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